Andrey Varlamov – författare

This book develops the best traditions of this kind of scientific literature. Written by working theoretical physicists who are at the same time dedicated popularizers of scientific knowledge, the book is clear and captivating in style. It brings to the reader the latest achievements of quantum solid-state physics; but on the way it shows how the laws of physics reveal themselves even in trivial (at first sight) episodes and natural phenomena around us. And what is most important, it portrays the world through the eyes of scientists, “proving the harmony by algebra”.

Why do rivers meander? How do you make a glass sing? What laws govern the shape of drops and bubbles? What happens when we cook a roast? All of these questions, and many more, are answered in this book.A true invitation to wonder about aspects of our daily lives, this book investigates the physics that underlies these observations. The authors relate this to the most recent advances in the discipline, and even provide an introduction to the mysteries of quantum mechanics and superconductivity, while detailing the countless resulting applications, from MRI to quantum cryptography.In each chapter, the reader will discover the innumerable facets of a kaleidoscope of phenomena where ground-breaking results, rewarded by Nobel Prizes, are presented side by side with seemingly insignificant experiments.

This book is a compilation of the best papers of the Nobel Laureate Alexei Abrikosov, presenting a scientific overview of Abrikosov's life work in superconductivity. It also includes some biographical material and recollections of colleagues and friends.In addition to Abrikosov's famous paper in which he predicted the existence of superconducting vortices, which won him the Nobel Prize, the book also contains many of his other groundbreaking papers on superconductivity, condensed matter theory, and quantum field theory. Reading these articles will help the reader gain an insight into the great physicist's way of thinking and creative thought process. Any level of interested reader, from undergraduates to active research scientists, can benefit.

The book in your hands develops the best traditions of the Russian scientific popular literature. Written in a clear and captivating manner by working theoretical physicists, who are, at the same time, dedicated popularizers of scientific knowledge, it brings to the reader the latest achievements in quantum solid-state physics, but along the way it also shows how the laws of physics reveal themselves even in seemingly trivial episodes concerning the natural phenomena around us. And most importantly, it shows that we live in the world, where scientists are capable of “proving harmony with algebra”. — A A Abrikosov, 2003 Nobel Prize Winner in Physics

"The book in your hands develops the best traditions of the Russian scientific popular literature. Written in a clear and captivating manner by working theoretical physicists, who are, at the same time, dedicated popularizers of scientific knowledge, it brings to the reader the latest achievements in quantum solid-state physics, but along the way it also shows how the laws of physics reveal themselves even in seemingly trivial episodes concerning the natural phenomena around us. And most importantly, it shows that we live in the world, where scientists are capable of "proving harmony with algebra." — A A Abrikosov, 2003 Nobel Prize Winner in Physics

The book in your hands develops the best traditions of Russian scientific popular literature. Written in a clear and captivating manner by working theoretical physicists, who are, at the same time, dedicated popularizers of scientific knowledge, it brings to the reader the latest achievements in quantum solid-state physics, but along the way also shows how the laws of physics reveal themselves even in seemingly trivial episodes concerning the natural phenomena around us. Most importantly, it shows that we live in a world where scientists are capable of “proving harmony with algebra”. — A A Abrikosov, 2003 Nobel Prize Winner in PhysicsThe third edition is considerably extended with three new chapters where the author discusses exciting examples of applications of recent achievements of physics in medicine, nanotechnologies, and physics in cuisine.

This book recounts the story of superconductivity — the ability of certain materials to conduct electric current without any resistance and heat generation — one of the most remarkable and enigmatic physical phenomena discovered in the 20th century. For decades, it defied explanation. The book opens with the historical context of its discovery in 1911, tracing the early excitement and subsequent frustrations, the relentless search for new superconducting materials, and the uncovering of their extraordinary properties.The first insights and misconceptions in the search for an understanding of the nature of superconductivity, conjectures about its quantum nature, the discovery and rapid explanation of a related phenomenon, superfluidity, and then more wandering in the dark.Forty-six years after the original discovery, the mystery was finally unraveled: the quantum mechanisms of superconductivity were understood, and the corresponding equations were formulated. One of the key barriers to practical use — superconductors' incompatibility with noticeable magnetic fields — was overcome. Yet, a major challenge remained: superconductivity only occurred at extremely low temperatures, close to that of liquid helium.It would take another thirty years before this limitation was broken. Seventy-five years after superconductivity was first observed in mercury at 4.15 K, researchers began synthesizing new superconductors whose critical temperatures rose dramatically — several times over in a matter of months — and ultimately exceeded the boiling point (77 K) of inexpensive liquid nitrogen and approaching ambient winter temperatures.The final chapters of the book focus on this modern era of superconductivity research and its real-world applications. But more than just a scientific account, the book celebrates the people behind the progress — those whose creativity and persistence brought us high-speed magnetic levitation trains, non-invasive medical imaging, efficient energy storage and transmission, ultra-sensitive sensors, and the foundations of quantum technology.